This has been a very different week than we could ever have imagined. We have always known that once in a while a young missionary has to be sent home because he just isn't ready to be obedient and humble and do the work he is here to do. But we never thought that a senior missionary would have to be sent home. As a Presidency, we have been working with one of our single sister senior Temple missionaries for months, trying to help her to be able to serve without offending anyone. But she used her agency and pride to hurt feelings and lash out at her leaders. She was released as an ordinance worker and sent home on Saturday morning without a temple recommend. We are so sad that we were not able to help her before it came to this, but we all have to choose what attitude will guide our actions, and pride just isn't the one that will being us happiness. Now we have to pick up the pieces and mend the hearts of both patron and obrera that her actions have hurt. Hna. Burk, Hna. Roberts and I were sent this special poem written by one of our missionaries that really helped to bring peace to our broken hearts.
Angels dressed in White
To imagine what heaven's like--
It has to look much like you,
Angels dressed in white..
You encourage, lift, and strengthen,
You set a reverent tone;
You make each feel important,
One never feels alone.
Each time I'm in the temple
And see your radiance bright,
I am grateful for the chance to learn
From angels dressed in white.
With love, appreciation, and admiration,
Hna. Carol Barney
Now for fun news. We were able to finally go to dinner to celebrate my birthday this week because President Burk is well and back to his normal shift. We invited the Gardeners and the Roberts to come with us to the Tesoro for Chinese.
We also went to the craft shops near the airport to see if we could find any treasures that we just had to have. Only Hna. Roberts found one but we had a wonderful time with great people.
These four are all ex-teachers and school administrators. We got lost a couple of times but President Roberts just takes it in stride and we eventually find where we are going. So glad that he isn't afraid to drive here.
On Sunday, the Presidency decided to go to Santa Elena to attend church and visit with Jose Martinez. He is one of our employees at the temple and works in the laundry. His wife just had a new baby so we went to see the baby.
The church reminded me of a double wide. It is on a big lot so that when the branch grows into a ward and then into a stake, they can build a bigger building. Half of the people come from a town that is an hour away.
The baptismal font is outside the front door of the chapel. It had a black solar cover on top of the water to help keep it clean and warm. The chapel had no piano or keyboard. The director just sang the first line of the song so that everyone knew what song they were singing and they really sang the tunes pretty good. The people were so thrilled to have the Temple Presidency come to visit their little branch.
This little girl could not hear or speak but wanted to share her testimony with us through sign language that she is just now beginning to learn.
Loading up to head for home.
President and Hermana Burk outside of the Martinez home
From the church parking lot, we could see the Volcano Pacaya. We had climbed the other side of this volcano on horses. There is always a stream of smoke from the top.
We drove to the home of the Martinez's to visit for a few minutes and see the new baby.
Jose with his two daughters and his wife.
Boy, right when we think that the rains are over, it just started pouring with thunder and lightning. It's a good thing that we got our walk in earlier today.
Well, that is all for this week. True happiness comes from serving others with humility, love, and respect. I pray that we can each follow the teachings of our Savior and humble ourselves as a little child and not let the pride of our hearts destroy our souls. We send our love to all. You are in our prayers and in our hearts Love Dad and Mom, Grandpa and Grandma, Lon and Nancy
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